Medical benefits of honey for weight loss

Written by rachel nall

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Honey is a sweet treat that can aid in weight loss. (Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images)

Honey is known for its sweet taste, but it also offers health and weight-loss benefits to those who consume it. One serving of honey — one tablespoon — contains 60 calories and is considered to be three times as sweet as sugar, according to Nutrient Facts and Natural News, respectively. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, honey can serve as a healthy and satisfying replacement to sugar and artificial sweeteners when trying to lose weight.

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Nutrient dense

Those trying to lose weight often replace sugar, corn syrup or other artificial sweeteners with honey in recipes. This is medically beneficial because honey is more nutrient-dense than sugar and artificial sweeteners, according to Natural News. Examples of vitamins and minerals found in honey include vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, C, calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

Low glycaemic index

Although honey is a carbohydrate, it is lower on the glycaemic index than similar sweeteners, such as sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup. Dieters utilise the glycaemic index to determine how eating a certain food affects your blood sugar levels. Foods high on the index cause blood sugar spikes that can lead to weight gain and inflammation. Foods lower on the index take longer for the body to digest — this makes you feel fuller longer.

Antioxidants

Honey is considered a superfood because of its ability to fight harmful substances known as free radicals, according to The Daily Green. Free radicals are found in harmful substances, such as tobacco smoke, that can break down the body’s tissues and cause premature aging and illness. Honey has as many antioxidants as some fruits and vegetables — including as much vitamin C as a tomato. Honey contains antioxidants known as oligosaccharides that help to neutralise free radicals and increase the amount of healthy bacteria in the colon. Darker honey has been found to contain more antioxidants than lighter-coloured honey.